Buying Satellite System in Spain

[sian_5062266]

I'm half way down Spain and want to know if anyone out there has bought a sat system out here. I'm due in La Manga in about a week and want satellite TV. All I've got at the moment is the local stations on my pc. Any advice gratefully accepted, also how much and where? I've got a new Wyoming.

Thanks

Sian

 

[JeremyClarksson]

I believe it may be slightly cheaper there, it is the same kit here so do not expect any problems except if you are using a PAL TV via an RF (coax) cable, in which case you will need a PAL compatible receiver (all the receivers I have seen are PAL compatible).

If you are going to run the satellite via the PC you would probably be wise to get a DVB-S card or dongle as this could give you a PVR (personal video recorder) function on the PC for very little extra money.

 

[sian_5062266]

in a lay persons terms whats a dongle? i have got a tv thingy for my pc which i plug in is that a dongle? if i plug my status ariel into this now i get spanish tv

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Dongle is not strictly the right term - what I meant is a device that plugs into the USB port that will give you DVB-S (satellite via dish) as opposed to DVB-T (terrestrial via normal aerial).

It sounds like you have a DVB-T device.

Think of it as the difference between a freeview box and a satellite box.

 

[allen1]

Hi sian,

When you get to La manga you will probably find there are a few systems and parts for sale,they will be advertised,on the notice board in the reception,or have a walk round the site you are bound to come across something.There is also a shop nearby in Cabo de palos which is reasonable.

 

[JTS]

It depends what TV you want to watch. You will only receive SKY and all BBC/ITV/Ch4/Ch5 with a Sky Digi box. You may pick up a second hand one in Spain but not recommended. You will be able to pick up eveything else,dish,lnb,cable,tripod etc etc. If you are not bothered about sky programs you should easily pick up a multi satellite receiver, all cheaper than uk. If you buy a multi sat receiver and its from a decent shop ask them to configure it for you. When in Spain I use a 60cm dish without problems.

 

[Angela_5076436]

Given up using Satellite dishes - either automatic/ self seeking or manual.

We now have the upturned pudding bowl one on the roof - now that is really something - get on Site and as soon as the caravan has its legs down , before even the electric is plugged in - push the button and it finds the satellite and by the time that the Electric is plugged in - fire up the TV and there you are - all the programmes you could ever want.

Never had anything as easy as that .

 

[JeremyClarksson]

JTS

"It depends what TV you want to watch. You will only receive SKY and all BBC/ITV/Ch4/Ch5 with a Sky Digi box"

Not strictly true

Only ch4 and ch5 from the 5 analogue terrestrial channels are coded by the Sky system on freesat and that will change before the digital (terrestrial) switch over is complete.

You can also pick your home ITV and BBC channels from the list if you want to keep up with home news/local programmes.

You would not get E4, More4, Five Life, Five US and some others however you will find thet you get Men& Motors, 4 movie channels and lots more that are all subscription channels on Sky for free.

Freeview (Terrestrial Digital), Freesat (satbox with no card) and FreeSatfromSky (Sky sat box with card) all have different line ups - it is confusing but I know from experience as we operate all 3 at home (in different rooms).

As a cheapest option with most channels I would use an analogue TV with a freesat suitcase as you will get ch4 and 5 on analogue in the UK until they go codefree on satellite.

If I was abroad the loss of a few channels would not worry me as I would rather enjoy the sun, sea, wine and company.

Angela - it sounds like the pudding bowl on the roof you have IS a self seeking satellite dish.

 

[JTS]

Jeremy Clarks son

As Sian was referring to Spain I was only saying about using FreeSat from Sky in Europe. You do ofcourse require a Freesat card to receive Ch4/5. I very rarely caravan in the uk and spend most of my time touring Europe, just about to book for May/June/July 08 in France/Spain. When I do caravan in the UK I still use my Sky.

 

[JTS]

JTS

"It depends what TV you want to watch. You will only receive SKY and all BBC/ITV/Ch4/Ch5 with a Sky Digi box"

Not strictly true

Only ch4 and ch5 from the 5 analogue terrestrial channels are coded by the Sky system on freesat and that will change before the digital (terrestrial) switch over is complete.

You can also pick your home ITV and BBC channels from the list if you want to keep up with home news/local programmes.

You would not get E4, More4, Five Life, Five US and some others however you will find thet you get Men& Motors, 4 movie channels and lots more that are all subscription channels on Sky for free.

Freeview (Terrestrial Digital), Freesat (satbox with no card) and FreeSatfromSky (Sky sat box with card) all have different line ups - it is confusing but I know from experience as we operate all 3 at home (in different rooms).

As a cheapest option with most channels I would use an analogue TV with a freesat suitcase as you will get ch4 and 5 on analogue in the UK until they go codefree on satellite.

If I was abroad the loss of a few channels would not worry me as I would rather enjoy the sun, sea, wine and company.

Angela - it sounds like the pudding bowl on the roof you have IS a self seeking satellite dish.

Even under trees?

 

[JeremyClarksson]

If I still had Sky subscription services at home than I would probably use it in the van like you - and if I holidayed abroad more so - so I am not disagreeing with using the service if you already have it.

I am pointing out that there is probably as much if not more likely to be available from Freesat than the non subscription Sky service (FreeSatfromSky - card still required)once ch 4 and ch5 join the Freesat line up.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Very interesting posts JC

When does ch 4 & 5 become free

They are now availble (as you know) with the

 

[JeremyClarksson]

John

"When does ch 4 & 5 become free"

Apprx 6 months according to this for CH4 (incl E4 and perhaps More4) and I think CH5 have a similar agreement.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=414580&in_page_id=2
I have also seen articles which say it will happen this year and next year.

Whatever happens I believe there is a commitment from the government/agency in charge of the terrestrial changeover that it will be on Freesat before completion of the that changeover to cover the odd areas that will still not get terrestrial freeview.

for the current UK FTA (free to air) channels see

http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/United-Kingdom.html?PHPSESSID=cfcaf99d687204b5a401d2589e7dd676
Look for Astra2 and Eurobird as they are both available on the same bearing of 28.2deg E of S.

A motordrive will also give you other english language channels on Hotbird/13 and Astra1/19 although these are mainly news.

I have never bothered to set up a motordrive while away although I have set one up at home, I suppose it might be worthwhile for a long stay if you have good multilingual skills.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

A bit more info from Astra2D website

http://www.astra2d.com/freesat.htm
Although I believe there may be some misleading info on there

" It now seems likely that Channel Four, along with E4 and More4 will be part of the Freesat line-up from the official launch date. This may be the main reason for the delay in launching the Freesat platform.

Five will probably not join Freesat from its launch, due to contractual obligation with Sky Digital.

Channel Four's contract expires in 2008, it seems highly unlikely, that the broadcaster will renew an expensive encryption deal with Sky Digital, though they will remain on the platform.

Four's other channels, E4 and More4 are already FTA on digital terrestrial

*********

(not on my set up - just checked again - JCS)

************

Film4 already broadcasts FTA via satellite and on Freeview.

Five's new channels, Five Life and Five US, which launched in October 2006, are both FTA on Freeview and FTV on satellite. It seems logical for Freesat to reserve epg numbers for Five's channel.